Optical splitter assembly

ABSTRACT

Optical splitter assemblies are provided. An assembly may include a housing, one or more fanout elements, an optical splitter element, an input fiber and a plurality of output fibers. The input fiber extends from an input opening of the housing to the optical splitter element. The input fiber carries an input signal to the optical splitter element and the optical splitter element splits the input signal into a plurality of output signals to be carried by the plurality of output fibers. Each of the output fibers extends from the optical splitter element to beyond a plurality of output openings of the housing. Each of the fanout elements defines one or more channels for supporting the input or output fibers. The assembly may further include tubular members for further support to the fibers. The fibers extend from the openings of the housing to the optical splitter element free of any loops.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/615,551, filed on Dec. 22, 2006, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Optical splitters are used in fiber distribution hubs of fiber to the premises (“FTTP”) networks. An optical splitter device is configured to split an incoming optical signal input into 16 or 32 optical signal outputs. The outputs are connected through a fiber optic patch panel to the distribution fibers that are dropped at the individual premises of the network. Typically, the optical signal outputs are looped at least once between the optical splitter and the fiber optic patch panel. The size of the loop varies depending on the type of fiber of the optical signal outputs.

An optical splitter and the optical signal outputs extending from the optical splitter are housed at least partially within a cassette or assembly, which in turn forms part of a fiber distribution hub. The overall size of the assemblies varies between vendors and is usually relatively large compared to the actual optical splitter. The variation and overall size of the assemblies may be attributed to the size of the fiber loop. And the variation and overall size of the assemblies may add to the complexity and overall size of the fiber distribution hub.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an optical fiber network consistent with exemplary embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a fiber distribution hub consistent with exemplary embodiments; and

FIG. 3 is a simplified block diagram of an optical splitter assembly according to an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SELECTED PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary embodiments are described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments and examples are shown. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

Exemplary embodiments relate to an optical splitter assembly. In general, the optical splitter assembly includes a housing for an optical splitter element configured to split at least one input optical signal into a plurality of output optical signals. Exemplary embodiments may be part of various devices or systems within an optical fiber network. For example, the optical splitter assembly described herein may be part of a fiber to the premises (FTTP), also referred to as fiber to the home (FTTH), system using passive optical networks. As illustrated in FIG. 1, a FTTP system may include or otherwise be in communication with a provider's central office 20 that delivers optical signals to a plurality of subscribers through a passive optical network or PON 10. The passive optical network may 10 include an optical line terminal (OLT) 22 at the provider's central office and a plurality of optical network terminals (ONTs) 30 located at the premises of the subscribers, e.g. a costumer home. The passive optical network may also include one or more optical network units (ONUs) 32 that function as gateways to additional sub-networks associated with other systems, such as fiber to the curb (FTTC) and fiber to the neighborhood (FTTN) systems. The OLT 22 can be connected to the ONTs 30 and ONUs 32 through a series of fiber links 34 and one or more fiber distribution hubs 36.

More specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 2, a fiber distribution hub 36 is configured to house at least one optical patch panel 100 and at least one optical splitter assembly 200. As further described below, the optical splitter assembly is configured to receive an input optical fiber or ribbon carrying an optical signal and split the optical signal among a plurality of output optical fibers or ribbons. The optical patch panel 100 includes a plurality of input adapters 110 that are in communication with distribution cables leading to the ONTs or OLTs. The adapters 110 of the optical patch panel are configured to receive the output optical fibers. Consequently, a particular optical signal can be sent to a particular ONT or OLT by connecting the appropriate output optical fiber to the input adapter in communication with that ONT or OLT via a respective distribution cable.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an optical splitter assembly 200. The assembly 200 may include a housing 210, an input adapter 220, an input fiber 230, an optical splitter element 240, a plurality of output fibers 250, a first fanout element 260, a first plurality of tubular members 270, a second fanout element 280, and a second plurality of tubular members 290.

The housing 210 generally provides an internal space in which to support the optical splitter element 240 and the first and second fanout elements 260, 280. The housing 210 defines at least a first input opening 202 and a plurality of output openings 204. Other embodiments may define additional openings. Indeed, the housing 210 according to some embodiments may not extend completely around one or all of the elements of the assembly 210. In other words, the housing may vary beyond the embodiments described herein, and include any housing that is generally configured to support the optical splitter element 240 and the first and second fanout elements 260, 280 and define at least a first input opening and a plurality of output openings.

The input adapter 220 is configured to receive or otherwise be in communication with a fiber cable 34 carrying an optical signal. The fiber cable 34 may extend from the OLT, another fiber distribution hub, or from another element of the fiber optic network, such as an optical amplifier. The adapter 220 may be at least partially supported by or attached to the input opening 202 defined by the housing 210. The adapter 220 may define a port or an orifice for receiving a plug-connector attached to an end of the fiber cable. And/or the adapter 220 may include a fanout element 222 having a first end and a second end and defining a channel extending between the first and second ends. An outer sheath or an outer tubular member of the fiber cable may extend and be attached to the first end of the fanout element 222 of the input adapter. An input fiber of the fiber cable may extend through the channel and beyond the second end of the fanout assembly 222 of the input adapter.

The input fiber 230 extends from at least the input adapter 220 to the optical splitter element 240. The input fiber 230 of the assembly may be an extension of a fiber of the fiber cable 34 leading to the optical splitter assembly 200 or may be a discrete portion of fiber beginning at a first end from the input adapter 220.

The optical splitter element 240 includes a first or input end and a second or output end. The first end of the optical splitter element 240 is in communication with the second end of the input fiber 230. For example, the optical splitter element 240 may define at least a first input port at the first end for receiving the second end of the input fiber 230. And/or the second end of the input fiber 230 may be fused to the optical splitter element 240. The optical splitter element 240 is configured to split the optical signal carried through the input fiber 230 into a plurality of optical signals to be carried through the plurality of output fibers 250. For example, the optical splitter element 240 may be a 1×16 or a 1×32 splitter, i.e. the optical splitter element 240 may split the one input optical signal into 16 or 32 output optical signals. The second end of the optical splitter element 240 is in communication with the plurality of output fibers 250. For example, the optical splitter element 240 may define a plurality of output ports at the second end of the optical splitter element 240 for receiving the first ends of the plurality of output fibers 250. And/or the first ends of the plurality of output fibers 250 may be fused to the second end of the optical splitter element 240. The structure of the optical splitter element 240 may vary. For example, the optical splitter element 240 may be a planar light wave circuit or PLC chip or any other device or structure configured to split the input optical signals into multiple output optical signals.

Each of the plurality of output fibers 250 extend from the first end of the output fiber 250 in communication with the second end of the optical splitter element 240 to a second end of the output fiber 250. In general, each output fiber 250 is configured to carry a split output optical signal from the optical splitter element 240. The number of the output fibers 250 may vary. For example, the number of output fibers 250 may be based on the configuration of the optical splitter element 240, i.e. the number of output signals. More specifically, in the examples provided above, the number of output fibers 250 may be 16 or 32. As explained below, each output fiber 250 extends through the first and second fanout elements 260, 280 and an output opening 204 defined by the housing 210 and the second end of each output fiber 250 extends beyond the housing 210 of the optical splitter assembly 200. Moreover, as illustrated in FIG. 3, each of the output fibers 250 may extend from the optical splitter assembly 240 to an output opening 204 free of loops.

The first fanout element 260 may have a plurality of input ports and output ports and define a plurality of channels extending between the plurality of input ports and output ports. Each output fiber 250 may extend into one of the input ports, along and within one of the channels, and beyond one of the output ports of the first fanout element 260.

Each tubular member of the first plurality of tubular members 270 may extend from a first end at or near one of the plurality of output ports of the first fanout element 260 to a second end. Each output fiber 250 may extend into a first end of one of the tubular members 270, along and within the tubular member 270 or outer sheath, and beyond the second end of the tubular member 270. Each first end of the tubular members 270 may be attached to one of the output ports of the first fanout element 260. For example, each of the first ends of the tubular members 270 may be attached to one of the output ports of the first fanout element 270 by an epoxy.

The second fanout element 280 may have a plurality of input ports and output ports and define a plurality of channels extending between the plurality of input ports and output ports. Each output fiber 250 may extend into one of the input ports, along and within one of the channels, and beyond one of the output ports of the second fanout element 280.

Each tubular member of the second plurality of tubular members 290 may extend from a first end at one of the plurality of output ports of the second fanout element 280 to a second end. Each output fiber 250 may extend into a first end of the one of the tubular members 290, along and within the tubular member 290 or outer sheath, and beyond the second end of the tubular member 290. Each first end of the tubular members 290 may be attached to one of the output ports of the second fanout element 280. For example, each of the first ends of the tubular members 290 may be attached to one of the output ports of the first fanout element 290 by an epoxy.

As stated above, the second end of each of the output fibers 250 extends beyond an output opening defined by the housing 210. For example, in one exemplary embodiment, each of the output fiber 250 along with a tubular member of the second plurality of tubular members may extend beyond an output opening and to an optical patch panel defining a plurality of adapters. In particular, at least the second end of the output fiber may be receivable by an adapter of the optical patch panel. Or the second end of the output fiber and the tubular member of the second plurality of the tubular members may be connectorized, such that a plug is attached to at least the second end of the output fiber and the plug is receivable by an adapter of the optical patch panel. For example, the plug may be a LC-APC plug as further disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/615,533, entitled Fiber Distribution Hub Assembly, assigned to the same assignee as the present application, and filed the same day as the present application, and hereby incorporated in its entirely by reference.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the assembly 200 may further include a third fanout assembly 300. The third fanout assembly 300 may be positioned between the optical splitter element 240 and the input adapter 220 of the assembly. The third fanout assembly 300 may include an input port and an output port and define a channel extending between the input and output ports. The input optical fiber 230 may extend along and through the channel.

The assembly 200 may also include a tubular member 310 or outer sheath extending from a first end at or near the input adapter 220 to a second end at or near the third fanout element 300. The first end of the tubular member 310 may be attached to the input adapter 220. For example, the first end of the tubular member 310 may be attached to the second end of the fanout assembly 222 of the input adapter by an epoxy. And/or the second end of the tubular member 310 may be attached to the third fanout element 300. For example, the second end of the tubular member 310 may be attached to the input port of the third fanout element 300 by an epoxy.

In another exemplary embodiment, an optical splitter assembly is provided comprising a housing, an optical splitter element, an input fiber extending from the first input opening to the optical splitter element, and a plurality of output fibers extending from the optical splitter element to at least the plurality of output openings. Moreover, the input fiber and the plurality of output fibers extend through the assembly free of any loops such that the housing and thus the optical splitter assembly is compacted relative to the optical splitter element. For example, the optical splitter assembly may include the fanout elements described herein to provide adequate support of the input and output fibers without requiring the looping of any fibers.

The optical splitter assemblies disclosed herein may be combined with an optical patch panel as part of a fiber distribution hub. The relatively compactness of the optical splitter assemblies may help to modularize a fiber distribution hub and reduce the overall size of the fiber distribution hub.

In the preceding specification, various embodiments of the claimed invention have been described. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereunto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims that follow. The specification and drawings are accordingly to be regarded in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense. 

1. An assembly, comprising: a housing containing optical components, said components including an input adapter, an optical splitter and an optical fanout element, said housing having a housing input end and a housing output end defined by direction of optical signal transmission into said housing input end and out from said housing output end, said components oriented, aligned and supported by said housing in a manner to constrain said signal transmission between said components within said housing to a substantially linear transmission path or to one or more other transmission paths substantially parallel to said substantially linear transmission path; wherein an optical signal is received at said housing input end by an input end of said input adapter and output from an output end of said input adapter into an input end of said optical splitter; wherein an optical signal split from said optical splitter is output from an output end of said optical splitter into an input end of said optical fanout element and output from an output end of said optical fanout element to, and exiting from, said housing output end; and wherein said direction of said optical signal transmission in said housing from said housing input end to said input end of said input adapter, and from said output end of said input adapter to said input end of said optical splitter, and from said output end of said optical splitter to said input end of said fanout element, and from said output end of said fanout element to, and exiting from, said housing output end is either a substantially linear direction or a direction substantially parallel to said substantially linear direction.
 2. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising: a tubular supporter extending from said output end of said optical fanout element through said housing output end, said tubular supporter containing optical fiber carrying said optical signal transmission.
 3. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising: an optical fiber outer sheath supporter extending from said output end of said optical fanout element through said housing output end, said supporter containing said optical fiber carrying said optical signal transmission.
 4. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising: optical fiber extending from said housing input end to beyond said housing output end for carrying said optical signal transmission.
 5. The assembly of claim 2, 3 or 4 further comprising: an optical connector affixed to an end of said optical fiber extending through said housing output end, thereby obtaining a connectorized optical fiber for connecting to an adapter of an optical patch panel.
 6. The assembly of claim 5 further comprising: one or more additional fanout elements through which said optical signal or said split optical signal is transmitted.
 7. An assembly, comprising: a housing configured to support optical components, said components including an optical splitter, a first optical fanout element, and a second optical fanout element; said optical splitter configured to receive an input optical signal at an input to said optical splitter, split the received optical signal into a plurality of optical signals, and provide the split plurality of optical signals at a plurality of outputs of said optical splitter; said first fanout element defining a plurality of channels configured to support optical fiber extending in a substantially linear direction or a direction substantially parallel to said substantially linear direction from said plurality of outputs of said optical splitter; and said second fanout element defining a plurality of channels configured to support optical fiber extending in a substantially linear direction or a direction substantially parallel to said substantially linear direction from said first fanout element; wherein the fanout elements are oriented, aligned and supported by said housing in a manner to constrain said signal transmission between said components within said housing to a substantially linear transmission path or to one or more other transmission paths substantially parallel to said substantially linear transmission path.
 8. The assembly of claim 7, further comprising: a plurality of output fibers, each output fiber of said plurality of output fibers extending from one of said plurality of outputs of said optical splitter, through one of said plurality of channels of said first fanout element, and through one of said plurality of channels of said second fanout element.
 9. The assembly of claim 8, further comprising a plurality of plugs, each plug of said plurality of plugs compatible with one of a plurality of adapters of an optical patch panel, each output fiber of said plurality of output fibers being attached to one of said plurality of plugs.
 10. The assembly of claim 7, said optical components further including an input adapter configured to receive a plug-connector attached to an end of an input fiber cable configured to carry said input optical signal.
 11. The assembly of claim 10, said optical components further including an input fanout element positioned between said input adapter and said optical splitter, said input fanout element defining a input channel configured to support an input fiber.
 12. The assembly of claim 7, further comprising a plurality of supporters, each of said plurality of supporters extending in a substantially linear direction from one of said plurality of channels of said first fanout element to one of said plurality of channels of said second fanout element and configured to contain an output fiber configured to carry one of said plurality of optical signals.
 13. The assembly of claim 12, wherein each of said plurality of supporters is one of a tubular member and an outer sheath.
 14. The assembly of claim 7, wherein said optical splitter includes a planer light wave circuit configured to split the input optical signal into the plurality of optical signals.
 15. The assembly of claim 7, further comprising a plurality of supporters, each of said plurality of supporters extending from one of said plurality of channels of said second fanout element to beyond said housing and configured to contain an output fiber configured to carry one of said plurality of optical signals.
 16. The assembly of claim 15, wherein each of said plurality of supporters is one of a tubular member and an outer sheath.
 17. The assembly of claim 7, said housing being compacted relative to at least one of said optical components. 